Part I of two articles reviews six
research literatures that
consider
access from different vantage points to identify common aspects of the
concept ‘access to information’. The resulting multi-dimensional
framework
includes (1) conceptualizations of information itself
(resource/commodity,
data in the environment, representation of knowledge and part of the
communication
process), (2) conceptualizations of the notion of access (knowledge,
technology,
communication, control, goods/commodities and rights), (3) a set of
general
information seeking facets (context, situation, strategies and
outcomes)
and (4) a variety of influences and constraints (physical, cognitive,
affective,
economic, social and political). Only a comprehensive consideration of
these factors will allow us to understand the concept of access to
information,
as well as develop and study systems, institutions and policies that
foster
improved access.